For over twenty years, Pekin Express has evolved, but this season marks a return to the essentials. Prohibited GPS, absence of translation tools, new game mechanics, and a new itinerary: the teams must show adaptability, creativity, and unwavering mental strength.
Dali, between ancestral heritage and spectacular decor
For this new stage, the candidates discover the kingdom of Dali, a civilization that disappeared over 1,000 years ago, but whose legacy lives on through the Bai people.
At the heart of Yunnan, the teams immerse themselves in a timeless universe, governed by ancestral traditions and a preserved way of life. The city of Dali, perched at nearly 2,000 meters altitude between the Cangshan mountains and Erhai Lake, offers a spectacular and soothing backdrop.
During an evening, the candidates meet the locals, sharing meals, conversations, and life moments. Between warm hospitality and sometimes mystical experiences, these moments promise to be among the most memorable of the adventure, under the iconic gaze of the Three Pagodas.
Challenges placed under the sign of balance
But the competition quickly resumes its course. During this stage, the missions and challenges revolve around a central theme: balance.
Agility, precision, and concentration will be essential to succeed in these challenges. In a race where every minute counts, the slightest mistake could have direct consequences on the ranking.
The decisive return of Extra Time
A crucial moment of this stage: the return of Extra Time, one of the most strategic rules of the season.
Symbolized by a t-shirt that the candidates must wear, this advantage can be kept or wrested away by another team. The principle is simple: the team that crosses the finish line in possession of Extra Time benefits from a 30-minute bonus on their race time.
A colossal advantage, capable of completely overturning the ranking. Saving a struggling team or propelling a duo to the top: a mechanism that has never had such a direct impact on the outcome of the race.
A pivotal stage under high tension
Between strong cultural immersion, technical challenges, and major strategic stakes, this seventh stage promises to be a key moment of the season.
In an environment as demanding as it is rewarding, the candidates will have to double their efforts to hope to continue the adventure. Because in Pekin Express, one certainty remains: everything can change until the last second.
Tune in to the show at 9:10 PM this Friday, April 17, 2026, on M6. The replay will be available for free on the M6+ platform immediately after the broadcast. With M6+ MAX, enjoy ad-free viewing and the following week’s episode in advance!
